The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Ed Whitaker

Edwin Whitaker (Ed), Mayfield, passed away June 21 at his home surrounded by his loving family. We celebrate that he is free from the 26 plus years of Parkinson's Disease. He was the best example of working hard and never giving up.

Ed was born on December 19, 1940, to Edwin and Maude Whitaker, in Havre, Montana. He was the eighth child of fourteen. He married Lorraine Pauly on December 5, 1959. Lisa, Joanne, and Julie were born to them. They later divorced. Ed married the love of his life, Bonnie Gaye Amtoft (with Bobby and Stacy from her previous marriage), on January 3, 1981.

Ed was a journeyman lineman for 31+ years and enjoyed years of working with his brothers in this field. He retired from Utah Power and Light.

He and Bonnie loved the Mountain Man Rendezvous. He was commonly known as the Old Man and she the Old Lady. They always took a few grandkids with. They made all their own clothes, leathers, etc. He loved competing in the mountain man runs and playing Guts at the Nationals. He started Old Man Iron and sold stoves, etc. and would sell his stoves at all the rendezvous. You can't find a rendezvous today that doesn't have a camp stove from Old Man Iron.

Ed loved camping, hunting, fishing, shooting, NASCAR, UFC, leather work, ice cream, and going to Shelle's. He was an extremely talented man. He could fabricate just about anything, fix anything, take anything apart and put it back together, and out shoot just about everyone. His love of guns was shared with family and friends. Parkinson's couldn't take that away from him. When he would take aim, his shaking would stop and his accuracy was exceptional.

Dad would help his family at a drop of a hat. He did have that soft spot in him. He taught his kids and grandkids how to hunt, shoot, work iron, and weld. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dad and Bonnie shared a prayer each night.